Even though there are a raft of research notes available highlighting the damage caused by stress and mental pressure, many people only see physical injuries as a reason for claiming compensation. The medical profession, the legal profession and unions/business associations up and down the country recognise and regularly talk about stress and mental pressure. In many ways mental pressure is an unseen injury which can cause untold damage to a person’s health and general well-being.
Before we take a look at common scenarios where stress and mental pressure, as a consequence of negligence by a third party, regularly occur, have you any idea of the medical conditions associated with stress?
Common Medical Conditions Associated With Stress
We will now look at 6 different medical conditions (the list is actually far longer) which have been directly associated with stress and mental pressure. Some may surprise you and some you might already know, but take a step back and consider the damage caused, these are serious medical conditions. Why are those placed in stressful situations and faced with mental pressures as a consequence of negligence not stepping forward to claim their rightful compensation?
Heart Disease
It is common knowledge that there is a direct link between heart disease and stress. Those placed in stressful situations will often see a significant increase in their blood pressure placing undue pressure on their heart. The very fact that doctors will act immediately to reduce your blood pressure shows how seriously this is taken by the medical profession.
Obesity
Those suffering from obesity are exposed to an array of knock-on medical conditions. We know that there is a direct link between stress and obesity because stress triggers a release of the cortisol hormone. Research shows that this particular hormone encourages the storing of fat in the abdomen which poses a far greater risk to long term health than fat on the legs or hips. There are also other factors to consider such as the link between stress, depression and comfort eating.
Depression And Anxiety
Stress, depression and anxiety were perhaps three of the most underused words in the English dictionary until quite recently. The merest mention of depression and anxiety can place many people in a difficult situation not knowing what to do, so they simply ignore calls for help. There is a direct link between increased levels of stress and depression/anxiety. This kind of situation can push the body into a false “fight or flight situation” with those mentally fatigued often subconsciously choosing the flight option. They will simply back away from the situation, prompting the arrival of depression and anxiety which can be difficult to treat.
Tension Headaches And Migraines
Those who have not experienced migraines will have no idea of the debilitating impact they can have on the individuals everyday life. While tension headaches are in many ways a lesser form of migraine, they can also have a major impact on your personality, activities and concentration in the workplace. In many ways it is the constant exposure to stressful situations, often as a consequence of negligence by third parties, which can literally change your personality and wreak havoc with your health.
Alzheimer’s
There is a debate as to whether Alzheimer’s is actually brought on by stress or not. However, there is no debate about the impact of stress on those already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows that the debilitating brain lesions associated with Alzheimer’s form far more quickly in people under stress and in stressful situations. On the flipside, a reduction of stress in those showing signs of Alzheimer’s can slow down the progression.
Insomnia
It is fair to say that some people struggle to sleep as part of their natural personality. It is also fair to say that many people develop insomnia in their later years as a consequence of stress in the workplace. We all know the potentially life changing impact this can have on a person’s personality and relationships with friends and family. Constant tiredness, memory problems and a lack of concentration could in many situations also place work colleagues in danger. While often seen as “part of modern life” insomnia is a serious condition.
Stress In The Workplace
In any working environment, it is the legal duty of all employers to ensure the well-being and safety of their employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. There are two different types of stressful situations which often emerge in the workplace brought about by management and co-workers.
Pressure From Management
There is a big difference between seeking greater efficiency from your workforce and literally pushing them to the limit. Some of the more common scenarios relating to stress brought about by management decisions include:
- Pressure to work long hours
- Unachievable targets
- Mismatching the experience of employees with particular tasks
- Reduced breaks
- Pressure to bend the rules
If actions and instructions given by management are placing undue stress on their employees then they have a legal obligation to address this. In many cases, whether or not the stress leads to any of the above medical conditions, there may well be a valid compensation claim for stress at work.
Pressure From Co-Workers
Bullying in the workplace has been going on since the year dot and in all likelihood it will always be in the background. There are regular cases of those at all levels of employment bullying and being bullied. Some of the more common actions include:
- Threats and intimidation
- Constant undermining of an employee’s role
- Public humiliation in front of other colleagues
- Side-lining individuals from working groups and discussion groups
- Blocking an individual’s career progress and promotion opportunities
Perhaps most worrying is the fact that many bullies in the workplace may not even know that they are breaking the law. It also makes you wonder why management do not take a more proactive role because friction between employees can only be detrimental to staff morale. As a consequence, this cannot help overall efficiency.
Botched Beauty Treatments
In many ways botched beauty treatment claims perfectly reflect the ongoing problems of addressing stress and mental health issues. The vast majority of substandard beauty treatments will result in some kind of physical condition of varying severity. It is the fact that people will see the physical condition but not appreciate the mental trauma which demonstrates the challenge of placing mental health on a par with physical health.
Some of the more common botched beauty treatments can result in:
- Serious chemical burns
- Damage to scalp and hair
- Eye injuries
- Severe allergic reactions
- Long-term physical disfigurement
In many of these cases there would obviously be a valid claim for compensation for disfigurement as well. At the same time the courts will also acknowledge any impact on an individual’s mental health as a consequence of stress brought on by the botched treatment.
We have seen cases where victims have been physically unable to leave their homes, seen their careers wrecked and a major detrimental impact on their private/home life. Even if injuries received as a consequence of the substandard treatment can be in any way rectified, either partially or completely, that does not necessarily remove the mental scars. Some victims have been known to develop phobias, depression and anxiety.
Medical Misdiagnosis
In reality the majority of those visiting doctors and hospitals would prefer not to face the prospect of suing the medical profession for negligence. We all appreciate, ironically, that they work in a high pressure environment, face funding issues and are very often literally worked to the bone. However, medical misdiagnosis can have a serious impact on a victim’s mental health and their long-term well-being.
For many people the misdiagnosis of cancer can bring about untold mental pressures and stresses. There have been situations where the condition should have been diagnosed earlier at which point there would have been more hope for a successful outcome. We can only imagine the mental turmoil experienced by those who suffer a misdiagnosis only to find it is too late to receive treatment when finally diagnosed. The stresses and strains of such a situation will not only impact the individual’s life directly but also those around them and their working life. In some cases there may even be a case for compensation for direct family who have experienced undue stress as a consequence of the situation.
Proving Negligence
In reality, there are very few personal injury claims which don’t prompt a degree of mental health/stress issues. Whether these are directly as a consequence of actions by a third party, such as pushing people too hard in the workplace, or indirectly as a consequence of injuries received, such as botched beauty treatments, you should investigate potential compensation. There is an argument to suggest that mental health conditions can have a far greater impact on your life. Unfortunately, they are not immediately visible and treatment is not always readily available.
Many people will be surprised to learn of the array of physical medical conditions which can be hastened as a consequence of undue stress and mental pressure. The medical profession recognises the damage stress causes, the legal world treats mental and physical injuries on a par but many people incorrectly assume that undue stress is “just part of life”. Yes it is, but not if brought on by the negligence of a third party.
